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u/Academic_Minimum4732

r/amputee r/brokenbones
▲ 8 r/amputee

How do you deal with rude/distasteful comments?

I will start out and say that I recently became an amputee by the tip of my big toe (distal big toe amputation due to lawn mower accident, see post history) about 4 weeks ago. I understand in the grand scope of the amputee world that this is on the smaller end of issues, however, I think that others experience here can help me.

I was able to hobble my rear end to a friends 4th of July party and enjoy myself. There were plenty of people there and it was a good time. I was super bummed about not being able to enjoy the 4th with my 2 year old and this was the perfect way to pick me up. I was talking with some people about my accident, which I don't mind at all, everyone has been pretty damn respectable about it. However, one person's persistent comments kinda got under my skin a bit.

She kept bringing up "OMG you need your big toe to balance! you will never be able to balance right again. Even with a partial toe it will give you tons of issues...ect". Its like, yeah I get it, I am going to have long lasting issues. Hopefully my little stump helps me along but shit, thanks for the reminder. I was able to steer the conversation elsewhere after a few comments but it certainly put a big drain on my mood. It's been a rough 4 weeks and this was the first time I actually felt like I was back living life.

While people have brought that up previously, they always did so in a respectable manner (ie: I heard its important for balance, I hope you are able recover fully and return to normal or something along those lines). I guess this is a half vent, half seeing what other people do in these situations. I had some snarky/mean comments I could have said in return but I decided to fall back on the "If you dont have anything nice to say, say nothing". A younger version of me would have had a much different reaction.

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u/Academic_Minimum4732 — 23 hours ago
▲ 11 r/amputee

Finally got a look at my foot since my accident - Piggy went to market edition.

~2 weeks ago I got into a fight with my lawnmower and the lawnmower for sure won. Had my foot wrapped up after surgery for 2 weeks. Went to my 2 week checkup and was able to finally see the repaired carnage. Doc was happy to see how it was coming along. He removed my stitches that were lower on my toe, I go back next week for the remaining stitches to be removed. Right now I am just focusing on doing everything properly to try to avoid a dreaded infection.

It is a bit freaky to look down and not see a part of me that was there for so long. In my mind, I am aware of the loss. However, as I am going through the day I find myself "surprised" by the missing toe. Ill watch the cat run across the room but then immediately be surprised when my vision passes by my foot.

Doc told me 2-4 weeks till the K-Wires are out (I cannot wait, these things suck) then it will be another 2-3 months of NWB from there. That sorta zapped a good deal of motivation/positivity that I had. In my mind I was hoping to be quicker than that. Although, after taking a good look at the damage done, I believe the doctor's timeline way more than my optimistic one. I figured id just give an update to the saga here.

u/Academic_Minimum4732 — 14 days ago
▲ 14 r/amputee

Dipped my toe into the amputee club (Distal amputation of my left great toe).

Had an unfortunate accident this last friday while mowing the yard. I have a couple of awkward spots in the yard where I use my push mower still. I was going down a slight decline with the mower when I slipped like I was on a banana peel. When I did this, my feet shot out in front of me and my left foot ended up under the mower. Lead to my left foot to being eaten up. Wife ran out with the tourniquet and then we were off the hospital.

Had to wait the night until the ortho team could see me for surgery, worst pain in my life all night. 10/10 agony. opioids barely took the edge off. Went in for surgery the next morning where they performed the following:

  • Interval amputation of the first distal phalanx.
  • Pin fixation on the realight first MTP joint.
  • Pin fixation of the second phalanx with realignment proximal and mid phalanx fractures.

Now I am resting at home. My 2 year old is super confused on why his daddy isnt playing with him anymore. I cant say this isnt tearing me up. I am NWB for 4-6 weeks till the K-wire is out, probably a boot afterwards. As a super active person, this is going to be a challenge. I am grateful that I didnt lose the entire toe as well, that would have been more life impacting than this already is. Figured id just share my story. At the end of this, I am going to get a tattoo on my foot saying this piggy went to market lol.

u/Academic_Minimum4732 — 26 days ago
▲ 47 r/brokenbones

Slipped while mowing - Mower ate my left foot

Had an unfortunate accident this last friday while mowing the yard. I have a couple of awkward spots in the yard where I use my push mower still. I was going down a slight decline with the mower when I slipped like I was on a banana peel. When I did this, my feet shot out in front of me and my left foot ended up under the mower. Lead to my left foot to being eaten up. Wife ran out with the tourniquet and then we were off the hospital.

Had to wait the night until the ortho team could see me for surgery, worst pain in my life all night. 10/10 agony. opioids barely took the edge off. Went in for surgery the next morning where they performed the following:

  • Interval amputation of the first distal phalanx.
  • Pin fixation on the realight first MTP joint.
  • Pin fixation of the second phalanx with realignment proximal and mid phalanx fractures.

Now I am resting at home. My 2 year old is super confused on why his daddy isnt playing with him anymore. I cant say this isnt tearing me up. I am NWB for 4-6 weeks till the K-wire is out, probably a boot afterwards. As a super active person, this is going to be a challenge. I am grateful that I didnt lose the entire toe as well, that would have been more life impacting than this already is. Figured id just share my story with other broken people.

u/Academic_Minimum4732 — 26 days ago